Boris Johnson broke strict rules and 'refused to be open' about links to firm

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"Evasive" Boris Johnson has yet again broken ministerial rules after refusing to answer questions about his links to an investment firm.

In a blistering letter to the shamed former PM, a Parliamentary watchdog said he had breached strict Government appointment regulations. Tory peer Lord Pickles, who chairs the Advisory Committee on Business Appointments (ACOBA), said Mr Johnson has "refused to be open" about his relationship with hedge fund firm Merlyn Advisors.

It comes after Mr Johnson and Merlyn Advisors boss Maarten Petermann held a mysterious meeting with Venezuelan despot Nicolas Maduro earlier this year.

Mr Johnson has reportedly been working for the firm on a non-contractual basis - which he has not denied - but was "evasive" with the committee. Strict laws mean former ministers are not permitted to take up or announce new appointments until the committee has been able to provide advice.

In a letter to Mr Johnson, the Committee said: "Given the evasive nature of your replies, your failure to answer specific questions put to you, or provide the context of your relationship with Merlyn Advisors, the Committee has formed the view that there has been a breach of the government's Business Appointment Rules (the Rules)."

In a further letter to current deputy Prime Minister Oliver Dowden, chairman Lord Pickles wrote: "It has been widely reported in the media that Mr Johnson met with Venezuela's President Nicolás Maduro alongside Merlyn Advisors Ltd co-founder, Maarten Petermann. Mr Johnson has repeatedly been asked by ACOBA to clarify his relationship with Merlyn Advisors.

"He has not done so, nor has he denied the reports in the media that he has been working with Merlyn Advisors on a non contractual basis. Mr Johnson clearly feels strongly that there has been no reason to seek advice,however, with respect to Mr Johnson, it is not his decision to make; it is ACOBA's."

Lord Pickles said Mr Johnson had been "evasive" in his dealings with the committee and has "avoided answering specific questions". He has also "refused to be open" about his links with the investment firm.

Mr Johnson is no stranger to angering the committee, having broken the rules three times already. Last year he failed to get permission before taking a job as a Daily Mail columnist. In 2018, he began working at the Telegraph without approval. In July last year the committee ruled he committed a "clear and unambiguous" breach of ministerial rules by taking up a new role writing a column for the Daily Mail.